From the moment they are born, a baby is learning new skills and changing as they interact with the world around them.

Every day brings a new wonder and, for parents, the first two years a their baby's life are a whirlwind.

By the time they reach their third year, they are barely recognisable from the vulnerable little bundle of that first day.

And, however bittersweet the realisation of the speed with which your little one is growing and changing, hitting each developmental milestone are signposts that show your child is healthy.

Advice pertaining to these milestones and development does differ, meaning it can seem as if all counsel on the matter is, at times, conflicting.

So are there any guidelines which a parent should keep an eye on?

Speaking to our colleagues at MirrorOnline, chartered clinical psychologist Dr Claire Halsey has shared her 30 years experience and revealed some gentle guidelines on all the things your baby will hopefully be doing from birth up to 24 months. - and how to encourage them further.

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1. Able to hold an object

You'll notice your child will wrap their hand around an object from their early days.

This is a reflex action and it won't be till around four months that she'll be able to pick up easy to grab items and not till later in her first year when she can handle and pass objects with more confidence.

Gripping a finger is one of the first things a baby is able to do (Image: Getty)

2. Smiling

You'll notice your babies first smile around six weeks of age and when you smile back and make a fuss you're encouraging her to keep going with this endearing habit.

Getting a smile from your baby can be one of the most rewarding moments (Image: Getty)

3. Lifting head up

A major developmental milestone comes when your baby can lift and hold their head up.

This skill gradually develops through the first months and tummy time is a good way to give your child a chance to practice lifting their head.

By about five to six months head control is well developed.

Baby's are well skilled in lifting their heads by the time they are six months old

4. Rolling over

Your baby is working their way towards this whenever you see them wriggling in the mat and during tummy time, digging their toes in and pushing off.

By around four months, you'll notice your baby rolling from tummy to back and a little later from their back onto their tummy.

Baby rolling over is another key development milestone (Image: Getty)

5. Sitting up

By around six months old your baby is likely to sitting with some stability and enjoying reaching, looking and exploring their environment.

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6. Crawling

You'll notice your baby during tummy time digging in and pushing with her toes, making rocking back and forth movements on hands at times lurching forward.

This is her crawling practice and soon she'll be getting around quickly by crawling anytime between six and nine months old.

A few babies start this movement by shuffling on their bottom and occasionally children 'miss' crawling and a little later will pull to stand and side step as a way to get around at the end of their first year.

Crawling can start between six and nine months - but some babies go straight to walking (Image: Getty)

7. Walking

Taking their first steps is a significant milestone for your baby and yourself as a parent.

Many children have taken their first steps around the age of one. For some this happens a little earlier at 11 months and for others anytime up to 18 months you'll see that step.

If your baby is not walking by around 18 months then do seek a check out with your health visitor or GP to see if some help is needed.

Some babies start walking at less than a year old, others much later (Image: Getty)

8. Talking

Your baby starts communicating from the moment she's born by her facial expression, eye contact and noises.

This is just the start of her expressing herself: cooing, babbling, and sound making.

As she approaches her first birthday the sounds closer to recognisable words become more frequent.

At around age one you can expect her first word and when she says 'dada' or 'mama' there will be smiles all round.

A baby's first words can be an emotional experience (Image: Getty)

The more your talk with your baby from their first days the more their speech and language benefits; singing, smiling and talking in response to her noises and giving her a running commentary about her world all help her develop.

You'll also notice she's begun to use gestures by around one year with waving and pointing joining her communication repertoire.